K9s For Warriors Announces Partnership with Merrick Pet Care to Help Improve Veterans’ Lives One Dog at a Time

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., July 1, 2015 /PR Newswire/ — K9s For Warriors and Merrick Pet Care are joining together to give a new leash on life to American military veterans and shelter dogs. Merrick’s support will aid K9s For Warriors’ mission of pairing specially trained rescue dogs with veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disability (PTSD) and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI), helping them readjust to civilian life.

“More than half a million war veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disability and struggle to see that there is life after combat,” said Shari Duval, president, K9s For Warriors. “K9s For Warriors offers these Warriors a home to heal – and the support of a service dog – so they can go back out into the world again and feel safe.”

As K9s For Warriors exclusive dog food partner, Merrick will provide each service dog with all their meals and training treats as they train for their service of empowering their Warriors to return to civilian life with dignity and independence. The dogs will enjoy healthy recipes made in Merrick’s kitchens which start with USDA-inspected deboned meat, fresh produce and contain high-quality and levels of protein. Merrick uses no ingredients from China – and handcrafts its recipes in its Hereford, Texas kitchen.

“K9s For Warriors takes shelter dogs and turns them in to heroes,” said Greg Shearson, CEO of Merrick Pet Care. “These dogs know what their Warriors need without having to be told and if we can play a role in helping them do their job by providing them with superior nutrition and quality care, then we should be proud. At Merrick, we think these service dogs are the best dogs ever. And the best dogs ever deserve the best food ever.”

Service Dogs and Warriors: A Winning Team K9s For Warriors helps veterans with PTSD and/or TBI have a new outlook on life. The non-profit group carefully selects dogs for their program from animal shelters across the country and professionally trains them at their facility. The dogs are then matched with warriors with whom they live, learn and bond together for three weeks with up to 16 other warrior-dog teams.

Each warrior-dog team is a true team, which means that not only do dogs care for their warriors, but Warriors must provide proper care for their dogs, including high-quality food.

“By giving these dogs quality food, we know they can best serve our Warriors and lead them on the road to recovery,” added Duval.

Saluting Veterans and Their Service Dogs Merrick’s help and commitment to veterans and service dogs doesn’t stop with the hundreds and thousands of pounds of high-quality food and treats it is providing to K9s For Warriors. In addition to feeding these best service dogs ever, Merrick will donate $50,000 to the organization later this year. A limited-edition special can recipe of Merrick dog food will be released this fall, honoring American military veterans as well. The 12.76 oz. can will be available at Petco, independent pet supply stores and online with a suggested retail price of $2.99.

To watch one warrior-dog team story, click here. And for more information about Merrick’s partnership with K9s For Warriors, visit www.merrickpetcare.com or follow the brand on Facebook or @MerrickPetCare on Twitter using the hashtag #BestDogEver.

About K9s For Warriors K9s For Warriors is dedicated to providing service canines to warriors suffering from post-traumatic stress and/or traumatic brain injury as a result of military service post 9/11. Their goal is to give a new leash on life to rescue dogs and military heroes, empowering warriors to return to civilian life with dignity and independence. Learn more at www.K9sforwarriors.org or visit www.facebook.com/K9sforwarriors for regular updates.

About Merrick Pet Care Founded in 1988, Amarillo-based Merrick Pet Care, Inc. is a leader in natural and organic pet food. With a mission to create the most nutritious and wholesome food, Merrick families take better care of their pets by cooking up nutritious real whole foods for pets. All foods are made in the USA using only the freshest ingredients grown by local farmers and no ingredients from China. The company offers a wide variety of dry and wet foods, as well as treats, that are available nationally at independent pet specialty stores, Petco, and online via select retailers. In April 2012, Merrick Pet Care Inc. acquired Castor & Pollux and its ORGANIX, Natural Ultramix and Good Buddy food and treats for pets. These brands are available at PetSmart, natural grocery, and online via select retailers. For more information, visit www.merrickpetcare.com or www.castorpolluxpet.com.